Several reports from the civilians in the hinterland of Mabinay and Manjuyod who have long been complaining on the harassment and extortion of the CPP-NPA-Terrorists has reached the knowledge of LTC DARRELL R. BAÑEZ, Commanding Officer of 62IB and, in coordination with the PNP, immediately deployed his troops to conduct community security patrol in the area.

While on security patrol at Sitio Tumonon of Brgy Luyang, more or less 20 armed men believed to be NPA Terrorists fired on the security forces which prompted the troops to retaliate. Firefight ensued for about 45 minutes that led to the capture of six NPA Terrorist fighters including one amazon who is a Mass Communication student of University of the Philippines - Cebu.

Among the six terrorists captured are two armed minors that were recruited as NPA Terrorist from Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. Recovered from the captured NPA Terrorists were six high powered firearms as follows: one M16A1, one M16A1 attached with M203 Grenade launcher, two M4 Rifles, one VLTOR (M16), one AG 43 (M16), rifle grenades, explosives, other war fighting materials, food stuffs and subversive documents.

Prior to the encounter, troops who are conducting peace security patrol have discovered enemy encampments at Brgy Samac of Mabinay and Brgy Panciao, Manjuyod, all of Negros Oriental. A week ago, the CPP-NPA Terrorists have burned a Tractor in La Castellana and a Sugarcane Truck Hauler in Canlaon City.

303rd Brigade Commander Brigadier General LOSAÑES said, "it is a clear manifestation that the people themselves are tired of these armed NPA Terrorists conducting extortion, harassment and recruitment of minors as terrorists. Furthermore, despite the encounter, the capture of the six Communist Terrorists who were unharmed clearly shows the troops’ adherence to the principles of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Rule of Law with its primacy of preserving human lives. With our continuous combat operation against the communist terrorists, we encourage the CPP-NPA Terrorists to lay down their arms, return to the folds of the law and avail the Government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program and live a normal and peaceful life".